Soviets plus electricity is a cinematic journey through Russia to Magadan, a city famous in Soviet times for being synonymous with deportation. Based on excerpts from his acoustic diary, documentary footage and some autobiographical insights given on the way, the roving reporter searches for imaginary roots and its historical and political implications.The film was shot in August and September 1999.

"Day two is the worst. It was the same in the train: on the second day, I stamped my feet impatiently. Then, from the third day on, it gets better. You get used to the slowness, to the monotonous landscape, to a life made up of short sleep-eat-wait cycles having absolutely nothing to do with the usual timing of a day." Advertisements for linoleum as if it were some precious stone, and entire cities - built on gold mines - left abandoned. There is no such thing as Russian chaos. Just "Europe" stretching all the way to the Pacific Ocean, and no longer merely to the ghostly Oural Mountains.

Nicolas Rey (b. 1968) wasn't named after the famous American director (he's the one that had a pseudonym) and he's not even the son of the French experimental filmmaker Georges Rey. He's been making films since 1993, productions hovering somewhere between photography, documentaries and experimental films. He spends most of his time at "L'Abominable", a co-operative film lab he helped founding in 1995. He's wrapping up a US tour in Los Angeles.Other information and illustrations at http://nicorey.club.fr

Nicolas Rey will be doing a different show at REDCAT on Monday, December 9, at 8:30 pm. autrement, la Molussie (differently, Molussia)http://www.redcat.org/event/nicolas-reySpecial thanks to Steve Anker, Bérénice Reynaud, REDCAT and Cal Arts for making Nicolas Rey's visit possible.---------------This program is supported by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission; the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles; and the Mike Kelley Foundation for the Arts. Additional support generously provided by American Cinematheque. We also depend on our members, ticket buyers, and individual donors.

Memberships available, $70 single, $115 dual, or $50 single studentContact us at lafilmforum@yahoo.com.Find us online at http://lafilmforum.org.Become a fan on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @LosAngFilmforum!

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The Velaslavasay Panorama(View)
1122 West 24th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90007
United States